- SURNAME
Felix
- FORENAME
Bradley M.
- UNIT
3 SF Group (Det A-345)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Silver Star
- PLACE
Afghanistan 2004
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Corpus Christi,Texas
CITATION:
Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Bradley M. Felix, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as the Assistant Operations/Intelligence Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 345 (ODA-345), Advanced Operational Base 340, Forward Operational Base 32, during combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM V, in Afghanistan, on 20 September 2004. Sergeant First Class Felix's personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Bradley M. Felix distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous achievement as the Assistant Operations/Intelligence Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 345 (ODA-345) 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), Advanced Operational Base 340, Forward Operational Base 32, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM V. On the afternoon of 20 September 2004, ODA 345 and a platoon of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol through the Mangretay Valley in the Paktika Province, Afghanistan to confirm or deny the presence of Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) fighters reported to be operating in the area. Sergeant First Class Felix was driving the lead vehicle in the patrol when the patrol was ambushed by 25 ACM in fortified fighting positions located on terrain which dominated the valley. A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hit his vehicle, disabling it and wounding the entire crew. Ignoring his own injuries, Sergeant First Class Felix struggled to position his vehicle as it rolled to a stop in order to shield his wounded comrade from further exposure to the intense small arms and RPG fire. With complete disregard for his own safety and ignoring his wounds that would eventually cause him to be evacuated to the United States for treatment, Sergeant First Class Felix dismounted the vehicle and fired a Light Anti-tank Weapon into the fortified enemy position, which was raking his vehicle with machinegun fire. After silencing the position, Sergeant First Class Felix sprinted from vehicle to vehicle while under intense enemy fire to organize the counterattack. Inspired by Sergeant First Class Felix's courageous actions, the ANA soldiers began assaulting the fortified enemy positions causing the enemy to break off their attack. Refusing medical treatment for his own injuries, Sergeant First Class Felix continued to direct the fires of the patrol in support of the ANA attack as he redistributed ammunition throughout the patrol. Once the enemy broke contact, Sergeant First Class Felix organized the patrol into a defensive perimeter to allow for the evacuation of his more seriously wounded comrades, including two who later died from their wounds received. After refusing to get on the MEDEVAC helicopter, Sergeant First Class Felix led the patrol back to the firebase. The heroic actions taken by Sergeant First Class Felix, all under intense fire and after being seriously wounded were decisive in the ability of the patrol to gain the tactical advantage and force the enemy to break contact by inflicting numerous casualties to the enemy force. His courage and deportment under fire is in the finest tradition of the Special Forces and reflects great credit upon, himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Sergeant First Class Bradley M. Felix distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous achievement as the Assistant Operations/Intelligence Sergeant for Operational Detachment Alpha 345 (ODA-345) 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), Advanced Operational Base 340, Forward Operational Base 32, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM V. On the afternoon of 20 September 2004, ODA 345 and a platoon of Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol through the Mangretay Valley in the Paktika Province, Afghanistan to confirm or deny the presence of Anti-Coalition Militia (ACM) fighters reported to be operating in the area. Sergeant First Class Felix was driving the lead vehicle in the patrol when the patrol was ambushed by 25 ACM in fortified fighting positions located on terrain which dominated the valley. A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hit his vehicle, disabling it and wounding the entire crew. Ignoring his own injuries, Sergeant First Class Felix struggled to position his vehicle as it rolled to a stop in order to shield his wounded comrade from further exposure to the intense small arms and RPG fire. With complete disregard for his own safety and ignoring his wounds that would eventually cause him to be evacuated to the United States for treatment, Sergeant First Class Felix dismounted the vehicle and fired a Light Anti-tank Weapon into the fortified enemy position, which was raking his vehicle with machinegun fire. After silencing the position, Sergeant First Class Felix sprinted from vehicle to vehicle while under intense enemy fire to organize the counterattack. Inspired by Sergeant First Class Felix's courageous actions, the ANA soldiers began assaulting the fortified enemy positions causing the enemy to break off their attack. Refusing medical treatment for his own injuries, Sergeant First Class Felix continued to direct the fires of the patrol in support of the ANA attack as he redistributed ammunition throughout the patrol. Once the enemy broke contact, Sergeant First Class Felix organized the patrol into a defensive perimeter to allow for the evacuation of his more seriously wounded comrades, including two who later died from their wounds received. After refusing to get on the MEDEVAC helicopter, Sergeant First Class Felix led the patrol back to the firebase. The heroic actions taken by Sergeant First Class Felix, all under intense fire and after being seriously wounded were decisive in the ability of the patrol to gain the tactical advantage and force the enemy to break contact by inflicting numerous casualties to the enemy force. His courage and deportment under fire is in the finest tradition of the Special Forces and reflects great credit upon, himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3915
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